Piano-key mounting.



W. A. GOBLE.

PIANO KEY MOUNTING- APPLICATION FILED Aue.18}1914.

Patented July 27, 1915.

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auvzutow m igz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER A. GOB LE, OF GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO -CHABLES B. MAGENNIS, OF GEAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

PIANO-KEY MOUNTING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 27, 1915.

Application filed August 18, 1914. Serial No. 857,368.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, 'lVAL'rER A. GOBLE, citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano-Key Mountings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to piano key mount- .ings especially adapted for upright pianos and has as its primary object to provide a construction wherein the keys may be read ily positioned upon or removed from the key frame.

The invention has as a further object to provide a key mounting so constructed that when used in connection with a player mechanism, the key may be readily positioned upon the key frame or removed therefrom without disturbing the player mechanism and without the necessity of the removalof any of the parts coacting with the key.

A further object of the invention is to provide a key mounting including a balance pin having detachable connection with a balance rail and wherein the balance pin is adjustable upon the key and arranged for movement longitudinally upon the balance rail.

The invention has as a further object to provide a key mounting wherein the initial adjustment of the key which often necessitates that the key shall be placed in position upon the key frame or removed therefrom a great number of times will not affect the accuracy and nicety of the pivotal movement of the key upon the balance pin or the seating of the balance pin'upon the balance rail, which in the conventional construction of key mounting as now commonly in use is often brought about through wear caused by the removal or replacing of the key. And a still further object of the invention is to provide in a key mounting of the above described character, a key disposed to receive the rear guide pin through its rear end so that the key may be readily disengaged from the pin by moving it in a horizontalplane and wherein said guide pin will be disposed to support the key at its rear end to maintain the capstan screw thereof in alinement with the coacting lifter.

With these and other objects in view, my invention will be more fully described, illustrated. in the accompanying drawings, and

then specifically pointed out in the claims which are attached to and form a part of this application. Y

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved key mounting showing a white and a black key in position upon the key frame, the various rails being shown in section, Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view especially showing the slot formed in the rear end of each key, Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the balance rail illustrating the arrangement of the slots formed therein, Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the balance pin, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a7 modified form of balance pin, the balance rail being shown in section, Fig. 6 is a similar view of a further modified form of balance pin, and Fig. 7 is a similar view of a still further modified form of balance pin.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have illustrated a white and black key in position upon the key frame, it being understood that each of said keys, as well as all of the keys of the key-board are mounted in the same manner and that the construction and arrangement of only one key mounting will therefore be described.

In Fig. l of the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the bed upon which the key frame is arranged, to which is secured in the usual manner the front rail 11 and the back rail 12, which is provided with a felt 13, all of these parts being of conventional construction. Arranged between the front and back rails and extending longitudinally of the bed 10 is the balance rail 14:, the said rail being arranged substantially at any desired distance between the front and back rails. Formed in the upper face of the balance rail 14- and extending longitudinally the full length thereof are spaced parallel grooves 15, this arrangement being preferably employed although one of said slots may be used as desired, the said grooves 15 being lined from end to end with felt 16.

Mounted upon the balance rail 14: is the key 17 which is pivoted upon a balance pin 18. The balance pin 18 is preferably formed of suitable metal and includes a shank 19 which is exterior-1y screw threaded throughout the greater portion of its length and which is slotted as at 20 at its upper end to receive a screw driver or other tool, and arranged upon the opposite extremity of the shank 19 is a circular head 21, which may also be bored as shown at 22 to receive a turning pin.

The key 17 is provided with a bore midway the longitudinal edges thereof of slightly less diameter than the shank 19 of the balance pin and by inserting a rod in the bore 22 formed in the head of said pin, the shank 19 may be screwed into said bore with the upper extremity of said shank projecting above the upper face of the key, as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, with the circular head 21 of the pin arranged to seat within the groove 15, as shown. The lower face of the head 21 is preferably flat, as illustrated, to seat firmly against the felt in. the bottom of the grooves 15 to provide for the accurate pivotal movement of the key and it willbe observed that the said balance pin 18 may be adjusted vertically upon the key, by turning the pin with a screw driver or other tool, to adjust the dip of the key without removing the key from the key frame, the circular head 21 of the saidpin being disposed to turn within the adjacent slot 15. Obviously, this is a very advantageous construction since the labor and trouble of removing the key to effect the above result is thus obviated, while the possibility of injuring the key or its mounting in the operation of such removal, is also overcome.

It will further be observed that in the construction of balance pin which I provide, the use of individual felts or paper punchings as now commonly employed around the balance pin, is dispensed with, and thus a great saving of material is effected as is also a great saving in time incident to the attachment of such felts or punchings, while the mounting of the key is also made more accurate- Also in the provision of the type of balance pin which I provide, the key is weakened to a much less degree by the engagement of the balance pin therewith, than in the conventional type of key mounting wherein the key is slotted to receive the balance pin.

Seated in the front rail 11, is a front guide pin 23 of conventional construction which is arranged to project upwardly, as usual, into a suitable recess formed in the key bottom, the said guide pin being provided with the ordinary punchings 24. At its rear end, the key 17 is provided with a vertically disposed slot 25, in which are arranged strips of felt 26, one of said strips being positioned adjacent the lower extremity of the said slot 25, and the other of said strips being positioned adjacent the upper extremity thereof. Arranged to extend within the slot 25 is a rear guide pin 27, the said rear guide pin being seated in the back rail'13 and being of such length as to extend well above the upper face of the key, as shown. The guide pin 27 is preferably inclined forwardly as illustrated so as to bear well within the slot 25 when the key is depressed at its front end, and it will be noted that said guide pin is so disposed as to maintain the rear end of the key in proper relative position so that the capstan screw 28 which is conventionally shown, will at all times be held in alinement with the lifters 29, the said lifters as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, being broken away and also conventionally illustrated. This arrangement of the rear guide pin. 27 is an important feature of my invention. since it effectually serves the function just above referred to, while at the same time. the rear end of the key is held so that the keys cannot rub together in the event of warping of the keys.

In the construction which I en'iploy, it will be noted that while the key 17 is held against longitudinal movement by the seating of the head 21 of the balance pin within the slot 15, yet the key is, nevertheless, not supported in such fixed position either at the balance rail or at its front end, as would cause the result just above indicated in the event of warping of the keys. However, it is to be also noted that the rear guide pin 27 bearing within the slot is disposed to counteract any lateral movement of the rear end of the key due to warping, while at the same time, it will effectually serve its function to maintain the capstan screw 28 in alinement with the lifter 29.

Particular attention is now called to the fact that in order to remove the key 17, it is simply necessary to lift the front end thereof, so that the front guide pin 23 will clear the recess formed in the key bottom at this point, which vertical movement will also lift the head 21 of the balance pin out of the adjacent slot to clear the balance rail, when the entire key may be moved forwardly and entirely removed. It will also be understood that the key may be replaced in like manner with equal facility and it is to be noted that in thus providing the arrangement which I have illustrated. whereby the key may be easily removed or replaced, that such removal or replacement will not cause any marring or wear upon the parts such as would affect the accuracy of the adjustment of the key or such as would result in the rattling thereof in practical use.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings, I have illustrated different modified constructions of balance pins. In Fig. 5 of the drawings, I have illustrated one of such modifications, wherein the balance pin 35 ex tends vertically entirely through the key, the key being bored to receive said pin and in this modification, the balance pin includes a shank 36 which is exteriorly screw threaded, which shank is provided with a terminal head 37 which may be niched to receive a screw driver or other tool. In this construction it will be observed that the head of the balance pin is arranged above the key and that the lower extremity of the shank of said pin is disposed to seat within the adjacent groove formed in the balance rail. It will also be observed that inthis modification, the balance pin may be adjusted vertically within the key to thus regulate the dip thereof without removing the key. 7

In Fig. 6 of the drawing, I have illustrated a further modification in which the balance pin is indicated at 30 and such pin includes a shank 31 which is exteriorly screw threaded to engage within a suitable bore formed in the key bottom, one extremity of the shank being provided with a head 32 disposed to rest within the adjacent groove 15 of the balance rail 14.1. Preferably, the head of the balance pin is grooved to receive a screw driver or other tool, and it will be observed that by removing the key, the balance pin may be adjusted vertically therein to thus regulate the dip of the key.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing, I have illus trated a still further modification, wherein the balance pin 33 is seated within a recess formed in the key bottom, the outer extremity of said pin being arranged to seat within the adjacent groove 15 of the balance rail. In this construction the balance pin is preferably provided with suitable punchings 3% disposed to bear against the upper face of the balance rail.

In connection with these modified forms of balance pins, it is desired to call atten tion to the fact that in each thereof, the key may be readily removed from the key frame in the manner above described with reference to the preferred form of the invention, by lifting the key slightly at its front end so that the front end of the key will clear the front guide pin and so that the balance pin will clear the slot formed in the balance rail when the key may be moved forwardly and entirely withdrawn.

It will thus be observed that I provide a very simple and ellicient construction for the the purpose set forth, wherein the key may be readily removed and replaced; wherein the arjustment of the balance pin upon the key may be easily effected to regulate the dip of the key, and wherein the rear end of the key is so supported as to constantly maintain the capstan screw carried by said key in alinement with the lifter coacting therewith.

In all of the forms of balance pins, which I have illustrated, it will be observed that while the key is supported against lateral movement at its front and rear ends, it is, nevertheless, mounted for relatively free lateral movement midway its ends, the construction of the balance pin in each of the forms being such that lateral movement of the pin within the groove 15 is permitted. This is a very important feature of my invention, since in the event the keys warp, such warping will not cause them to bind at the bal ance rail, nor will such warping of the keys serve to affect the accuracy of the pivotal movement thereof. It is further to be noted that in employing the grooves 15, which extend the entire length of the balance rail 14, that the manufacture of the key mounting is very much simplified since the forming of one continuous channel in the balance rail can be much more easily accomplished than were it necessary to provide said balance rail with a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses, each of which would receive a balance pin. Moreover, in thus employing a continuous groove 15, I am enabled to use a continuous piece of felt 16 in providing acushion for the balance pin and conse uently, the facilityof manufacture is furt er enhanced.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcut is 1. A piano key mounting including a balance rail, a key detachably and rockingly connected thereto, the said key at one extremity being provided with spaced longitudinally extending members disposed to bear upon opposite sides of a guide pin, a felt arranged upon the inner faces of said members, and a guide pin arranged to extend between the members, the key being movable in a horizontal plane above the balance rail to engage said members with the guide pin.

2. A piano key mounting including a balance rail liaving a longitudinally disposed groove formed therein extending throughout the entire length of the rail, a single piece of felt seating in said groove and extending throughout the entire length thereof, a key, and a balance pin carried by the key and rockingly engaging in said groove to seat upon said felt, the said balance pm being disposed for sliding movement longitudinally within the groove upon the felt.

3. A piano key mounting including a balance rail, a key rockingly mounted upon the balance rail, said key being provided with spaced members adapted to bear upon opposite sides of a guide pin, and a guide pin arranged to extend between the said members, the key being movable in a horizontal plane above the balance rail to engage the members with said guide pin.

4. In a device of the character described, a 6. In a device of the character described, a key frame includinga balance rail, a key, the key frame including a balance rail having said rail having a seat formed therein exa longitudinally disposed groove formed tending laterally relative to the vertical therein extending the entire length of the plane of the key, and means carried by the rail, a key, and a balance pin carried by the 20 key and rockingly engaging in said seat, key and rockingly engaging in said seat, the said means being mounted for free movesaid pin having free connection with the seat men '1- laterally Within the seat. for lateral movement therein. 5. In a device of the character described, a In testimony whereof I afiix my signature 1 10 key 'rame including a balance rail recessed in presence of two Witnesses.

to form a longitudinally extending seat, a key, and a balance pin carried by the key VALTER GOBLE' and adjustable thereon, said pin rockingly Witnesses: engaging in said seat and being mounted for GEO. V. BRACE, 15 lateral movement therein. G. W. ANDREWS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

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